France and Germany start favourites for Euro 2017
When, in the wake of another tournament failure, France appointed Olivier Echouafni as coach, it seemed an odd choice. The 44-year-old’s experience consisted of brief spells at men’s clubs Amiens and Sochaux, neither top flight at the time, and his strongest link to the female game was as “patron of the women’s section” when a player at Nice.
Odd, but perhaps inspired. France, hugely talented but so often chokers on the grand stage, head into this summer’s European Championship, which takes place in Holland from July 16 to August 6, looking as though they may finally realise their rich potential.
Les Bleues are the female equivalent of Spain’s men prior to 2008: a delight to watch, brimming with quality, tipped for every tournament...but always falling short. La Roja cracked it at Euro 2008 and promptly set off on a silverware spree; France’s female footballers have the ability to do the same, not least as they host the 2019 Women’s World Cup, but they must break the dam first.
French clubs are already dominant in Europe. Lyon are back-to-back Champions League winners and this year’s beaten finalists were domestic rivals Paris Saint-Germain. The bulk of their squad comes from these clubs and they have the confidence boost of winning the She Believes Cup in March. It may have been a friendly tournament, but was a prestigious one, and France’s 3-0 demolition of their USA hosts, the reigning world champions, stunned women’s football.
This story is from the July 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2017 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team